Training Individuals with Schizophrenia to Manage Their Illnesses: Experiences from Germany and Switzerland

Abstract

Programs that view individuals with schizophrenia as capable of taking a more active role in managing their illness have gained importance in the United States and Europe. The Medication and Symptom Management Modules, developed by the UCLA Center for Research on Treatment and Rehabilitation of Psychosis, have demonstrated feasibility and efficacy in equipping people who have schizophrenia with disease management skills. These programs, integrating psychoeducational treatment and social skills training methods, were implemented in a German version at ten treatment sites in Germany and Switzerland and field-tested by a multicenter working group. Both modules showed excellent feasibility, were integrated into most of the treatment settings, and have influenced the implementation and development of psychoeducational illness management programs throughout Europe. A coping-oriented treatment, including some elements of these modules as well as stress management, was implemented at treatment sites in Germany and Switzerland. Participants in illness management programs were better informed about schizophrenia and reported a greater sense of control over their illness than at pre-treatment.